Apparatus for straightening a damaged or deformed wheel

ABSTRACT

A wheel straightener for repairing a damaged or deformed wheel. The wheel straightener includes a shaft mounted to a cabinet. The shaft includes a mounting plate affixed to an extended end of the shaft. The wheel is seated on the shaft and held in a centered location by a centering cone. The centering cone is seated within a bore of the wheel and held in place by a nut threaded onto the shaft. A hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly is also mounted to the shaft. Force is applied from the shaft, outwardly toward a rim of the wheel through the hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly. The wheel straightener also incorporates a dial indicator for determining the run-out variances of a damaged wheel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to vehicle repair apparatuses, and more particularly, to an apparatus for straightening damaged wheels on a vehicle.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Conventional vehicles normally utilize wheels constructed of a metallic alloy having a tire mounted about the wheels of the vehicle. In recent years, the wheels are constructed of very lightweight materials such as aluminum or magnesium. There are various advantages to utilizing such materials, such as reduction of weight, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced aesthetics of the vehicle. However, the material, although relatively strong, is susceptible to damage caused during accidents. In the past, when the wheel has been damaged or deformed, the wheel would be discarded. However, recently, technology has improved within the vehicle repair industry in such a fashion that the wheel, in many cases, may now be repaired.

[0005] Various methods and devices have now been employed to refurbish the damaged or deformed wheel. For example, many repair technicians use spot heating devices, similar to torches, to heat the wheel material around a deformed area of the wheel. The technician then pounds or applies some force to the wheel to return the wheel to its original form. In addition, the technicians utilize several existing devices to assist in applying force to the wheel. In these existing devices, a force applicator is applied from outside the circumference of the wheel toward an opposite point of the circumference of the wheel. Although these existing devices are effective in applying the force necessary to reform the damaged wheel, the device is not nearly accurate enough to return the wheel to its original form. Also, after applying force to the wheel, the technician must then employ a separate device to measure the “run-out” of the wheel. The run-out is a variance from a specified distance of the rim or edge of the wheel to the center point of the wheel. The technician must measure the variance in run-out both laterally and radially to accurately determine the condition of the wheel. Thus, the technician must employ two separate devices to properly straighten the deformed wheel.

[0006] In addition, since force is applied from across the opposite side of the wheel, as well as employing a measurement device measuring from the opposite side of the wheel, accurate straightening of the wheel is not possible. Oftentimes, the technician uses these rudimentary devices to return the wheel close to its original form and then machines the wheel to proper specifications after utilizing the existing wheel straightener. Obvious, these existing devices result in a waste of manpower in properly refurbishing the damaged wheels.

[0007] Although there are no known prior art teachings of a solution to the aforementioned deficiency and shortcoming such as that disclosed herein, a prior art reference that discusses subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein is U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,303 to Hizono (Hizono).

[0008] Hizono discloses a wheel repairing apparatus having a base on which the damaged wheel is mounted with its axis vertical. In addition, a support frame is attached to the base. The wheel is rotatably supported about its vertical axis. A mechanism is used to apply pressure to the deformed portion of the rim. The pressure mechanism includes a pressurizing lever having a free end swingable about its proximal end. The free end of the pressurizing lever is brought into contact with the deformed portion of the rim from inside and a jack is applied to the pressurizing lever which produces a force in a direction in which the deformed portion of the wheel is returned to the original form. However, Hizono does not teach or suggest employing a force applicator originating from the center bore of the wheel. In addition, Hizono does not disclose utilizing a measuring device to measure run-out of the wheel. Hizono merely discloses a force applicator applying force to a wheel. Hizono suffers from the disadvantage of applying a force in an inaccurate fashion to the wheel, resulting in greater deviations from the nominal run-out on the wheel.

[0009] Review of the foregoing references reveals no disclosure or suggestion of an apparatus as that described and claimed herein. Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a device which accurately applies the force necessary to return a damaged wheel to its original form, while employing a measuring device to measure the run-out of the wheel. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for repairing a wheel. The apparatus includes a shaft affixed to a fixed object, a mounting plate affixed to a portion of the shaft, and a centering cone for centering the wheel upon the shaft against the mounting plate. In addition, the apparatus includes a force applicator providing a force emanating outwardly from the shaft toward a selected area of the wheel and a measuring mechanism for determining a run-out of the wheel. The wheel is positioned on the shaft and centered by the centering cone. Force is applied at the selected area to return the wheel to an approximately original form. The measuring mechanism is utilized to determine the variance of the run-out of the wheel.

[0011] In another aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for repairing a wheel. The apparatus includes a shaft affixed to a fixed object and a mounting plate affixed to a portion of the shaft. The wheel is centered upon the shaft against the mounting plate. Force is then generated outwardly from the shaft toward a selected area of the wheel. The run-out of the wheel is measured to determine the variance of the run-out of the wheel from a determined run-out of an undamaged wheel.

[0012] In still another aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for repairing a wheel. The apparatus includes a shaft affixed to a fixed object, a mounting plate affixed to a portion of the shaft, and a centering cone for centering the wheel upon the shaft against the mounting plate. A fastener holds the centering cone against the wheel. A force applicator provides a force emanating outwardly from the shaft toward a selected area of the wheel. The force applicator is hydraulically powered and has a removable wheel die sized to an undamaged wheel. A dial indicator is used to determine a run-out of the wheel. The wheel is positioned on the shaft and centered by the centering cone. Force is applied at the selected area to return the wheel to an approximately original form. The dial indicator determines the variance of the run-out of the wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a wheel straightener illustrating a cross sectional area of a wheel mounted to the wheel straightener in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of two separately sized wheel dies which may be affixed to the piston; and

[0016]FIG. 3 is a front view of the ram holder removed from the shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] A wheel straightening apparatus for repairing damaged or deformed wheels is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a wheel straightener 20 illustrating a cross sectional area of a wheel 32 mounted to the wheel straightener in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The wheel straightener includes a shaft 22 mounted to a cabinet 24. The shaft is held in place on a top portion of the cabinet by one or more lock rings 26 having carrier bearings.

[0018] A mounting plate 28 is preferably permanently affixed (e.g., welded to shaft) to an extended portion 30 of the shaft. The mounting plate may be in any shape or size enabling the wheel to be positioned against. A wheel 32 is seated on the wheel straightener 20 by placing the extended portion of the shaft through a center bore 34 of the wheel. The wheel is abutted against the mounting plate. The wheel is centered on the extended portion of the shaft by a centering cone 36, which properly positions the wheel's center bore on the shaft. A threaded portion 38 of the shaft extends from approximately the general area of where the wheel is seated outwardly to a free end of the shaft. The wheel is held in place against the mounting plate by threading a nut 39 onto the threaded portion, thus holding the centering cone against the wheel.

[0019] The wheel straightener also includes a ram holder 40 having a hydraulic cylinder 42. The hydraulic cylinder includes an extendable piston 44 having a removable wheel die 46 attached to the end of the piston. The hydraulic cylinder receives hydraulic pressure through a hose 48 which leads to an actuating device, such as a foot pedal (not shown). When actuated, hydraulic pressure raises the extendable piston, the piston applying a force through the wheel die onto a rim section 50 of the wheel. The ram holder may be placed adjacent the mounting plate 28 (as illustrated in FIG. 1) or positioned on the opposite side of the wheel, adjacent the nut 39.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a side view of two separately sized wheel dies 46 which may be affixed to the piston 44. The die are sized differently to accommodate different sized wheels (e.g., 15, 16 or 17 inch wheels). The die may be attached in any conventional fashion well know to those skilled in the art of machining. Additionally, specially constructed die may be utilized to repair specialty wheels.

[0021] Referring back to FIG. 1, a dial indicator 51 is also used to measure the run-out of the wheel at various locations, as desired by the technician. The dial indicator may include an indexable arm 52 attached to a post 54. The indexable arm may be adjusted as necessary to measure various locations on the wheel rim. As depicted, the dial indicator includes a dial 56 and a probe 58. The dial indicator may be affixed to the cabinet 24. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dial indicator is attached to a metallic horizontal surface 60 of the cabinet through a magnetic base 62. However, the dial indicator may be attached anywhere, such as other portions of the cabinet, on the shaft, or on a separate fixed object. Additionally, although the dial indicator is depicted, it should be understood that any measurement device which accurately determines the run-out on the wheel 32 may be utilized. Preferably, a specific nominal distance from center is determined and the dial indicator indicates deviation from the nominal distance.

[0022] The wheel straightener 20 may optionally include an auxiliary hydraulic ram 70 having a piston 72 and a removable ram 74. The auxiliary hydraulic ram may also be coupled to the hose 48 or may utilize a second hose. The auxiliary ram is used to apply force to a portion of the wheel correcting any lateral run-out variances from norm. The auxiliary hydraulic ram may be affixed to any stationary object, however, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary ram is affixed to a vertical surface 76 of the cabinet.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a front view of the ram holder 40 removed from the shaft 22. The ram holder 40 includes a bore 80 through which the shaft extends through. In addition, the ram holder includes a receiver mount 82 for mounting the hydraulic cylinder 42. The ram holder, as discussed above, may be positioned either adjacent the mounting plate or on the wheel's opposite side, adjacent the nut 39. The position of the ram holder is dependent on the portion of the wheel which requires repairs. The ram holder may be locked in place by any locking mechanism (not shown).

[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the operation of the wheel straightener will now be discussed. The shaft 22 is affixed to the cabinet 24 by extending the shaft through lock rings 26. The shaft is held in this stationary position and is capable of holding the wheel 32. The cabinet may include an interior area 90 holding various tools required in repairing the wheel. The wheel is mounted on the shaft 22 against the mounting plate 28. To insure proper and accurate centering of the wheel upon the shaft, the centering cone (having a lip extension) is inserted into the bore of the wheel. The centering cone includes a bore (not shown) through which the shaft also extends through. Once the wheel is properly positioned on the shaft, the nut 39 is threaded onto the threaded portion 38 against the centering cone, thus locking the wheel in place on the shaft. The technician utilizes the dial indicator 51 to measure the run-out variances from the norm for an undamaged wheel 32. Once the technician determines an area on the wheel for which the run-out does not match the norm, the technician preferably applies spot heating to the desired area to soften the specified portion of the wheel.

[0025] Then the technician actuates a hydraulic actuator (not shown). The hose 48 is pressurized, thus actuating the hydraulic cylinder 42 and extending the piston 44. Extending the piston then allows the wheel die to apply a force emanating from the center of the wheel outwardly toward the desired area of repair on the rim of the wheel. Prior to applying force to the wheel, the technician selects the appropriate wheel die sized to fit the wheel 32. The force used is determined by the technician. The technician may utilize a force meter device, the dial indicator or through a visual approximation to determine the appropriate amount of force. The technician may accurately gauge the run-out as force is being applied to determine when the appropriate amount of deformation of the wheel has been obtained (back to the original form of an undamaged wheel). The dial indicator preferably measures run-out at least to the thousandths of an inch.

[0026] Once the selected area is repaired, the dial indicator may be positioned on other areas of the wheel 32 to determine other deformities on the wheel. The shaft may be momentarily released from the lock rings to allow the wheel and shaft to rotate to the appropriate area for which the hydraulic cylinder/piston/wheel die may be used. Alternately, the ram holder may be released and allowed to rotate about the shaft, thus allowing the wheel die to be positioned in the desired location on the wheel. In addition, the ram holder 40 may be repositioned on the opposite side of the shaft, adjacent the nut 39 to access the back side of the wheel.

[0027] The dial indicator 51 may also be used to measure the lateral run-out. If minor lateral damage is found, the auxiliary hydraulic ram 70 may be employed to repair the lateral damage inflicted on the wheel 32. In a similar manner as shown for the hydraulic cylinder 42, the auxiliary ram is employed after spot heating (e.g., torch) the desired area. Once heated, making the material malleable, the hydraulic ram is actuated, thus extending the piston 72 and applying force through the ram 74 to the wheel.

[0028] Although a hydraulic system has been discussed and illustrated to apply the force to the wheel, any device which applies a force to the wheel may be utilized. For example, such devices may generate the appropriate force from an electric motor or pneumatic device. In addition, one or more rams may be positioned on the shaft or a fixed object adjacent the wheel. The additional ram may also be affixed at an angle on the shaft to apply a force at a specified angle (e.g., for applying force to the front lip of the wheel).

[0029] The wheel straightener 20 offers many advantages over existing wheel repair devices. Since force is applied from the center location of the wheel, a more accurate force may be applied to the wheel. Since the force originates from the center location of the wheel, rather than across the opposite side of the outer circumference of the wheel, the force applied is more accurately determined. In addition, since the dial indicator is incorporated within the wheel straightener, the technician may immediately and easily determine if the applied force has been effectively used.

[0030] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus shown and described has been characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for repairing a wheel, said apparatus comprising: a shaft affixed to a fixed object; a mounting plate affixed to a portion of said shaft; a centering cone for centering the wheel upon said shaft against said mounting plate; a force applicator providing a force emanating outwardly from said shaft toward a selected area of the wheel; and a measuring mechanism for determining a run-out of the wheel; whereby the wheel is positioned on said shaft and centered by said centering cone and force is applied at the selected area to return the wheel to an approximately original form, said measuring mechanism determining the variance of the run-out of the wheel.
 2. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 wherein the fixed object is a cabinet.
 3. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 wherein said force applicator is powered by a hydraulic system.
 4. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 3 wherein the hydraulic system includes a hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly.
 5. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 wherein said force applicator is mounted on said shaft.
 6. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 wherein said force applicator is mounted on said shaft and powered by a hydraulic system.
 7. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 wherein said force applicator includes an actuating mechanism for metering a force generated by said force applicator.
 8. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 wherein said centering cone is held against the wheel by a fastener.
 9. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 wherein said force applicator includes a removable wheel die for applying force directly to the wheel, said removable wheel die being sized to fit against the wheel.
 10. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary hydraulic ram for applying a generally vertical force to a portion of the wheel.
 11. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 wherein said measuring mechanism is a dial indicator.
 12. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 11 wherein the dial indicator measures a variance from norm of run-out for an undamaged wheel.
 13. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 1 whereby localized heat is applied to an area of the wheel being repaired prior to applying force from said force applicator.
 14. An apparatus for repairing a wheel, said apparatus comprising: a shaft affixed to a fixed object; a mounting plate affixed to a portion of said shaft; means for centering the wheel upon said shaft against said mounting plate; means for generating a force on the wheel, said force emanating outwardly from said shaft toward a selected area of the wheel; and means for measuring a run-out of the wheel; whereby the wheel is positioned on said shaft and centered by said centering means and force is applied at the selected area to return the wheel to an approximately original form, said measuring means determining the variance of the run-out of the wheel from a nominally determined run-out of an undamaged wheel.
 15. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 14 wherein said force generating means is a hydraulically powered ram assembly.
 16. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 14 wherein the hydraulically powered ram assembly includes a removable wheel die sized to fit an undamaged wheel.
 17. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 14 wherein the measuring means is a dial indicator.
 18. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 14 wherein the shaft is affixed to the fixed object by a plurality of lock rings.
 19. The apparatus for repairing a wheel of claim 14 further comprising means for generating a generally vertical force upon the wheel, said vertical force being used to repair lateral damage to the wheel.
 20. An apparatus for repairing a wheel, said apparatus comprising: a shaft affixed to a fixed object; a mounting plate affixed to a portion of said shaft; a centering cone for centering the wheel upon said shaft against said mounting plate; a fastener for holding said centering cone against the wheel; a force applicator providing a force emanating outwardly from said shaft toward a selected area of the wheel, said force applicator being hydraulically powered and having a removable wheel die sized to an undamaged wheel; and a dial indicator for determined a run-out of the wheel; whereby the wheel is positioned on said shaft and centered by said centering cone and force is applied at the selected area to return the wheel to an approximately original form, said dial indicator determining the variance of the run-out of the wheel. 